Conference motions

Conference welcomes the approval of the Equality Act by Parliament in the last administration. However, conference notes that there are elements of the Act that have yet to be enacted. Conference is concerned that the Government may be less than enthusiastic about enacting the remaining elements. Conference therefore instructs the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and […]

Conference welcomes the three motions passed at Trade Union Congress (TUC) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Conference 2010* on the portrayal of LGBT people in the media. Conference also welcomes the information sheet “Complaining about the media” produced by the National Union of Journalists distributed at TUC LGBT Conference which encourages views to be […]

Conference welcomes the Supreme Court’s unanimous judgement on 7 July 2010, which overturned the Home Office policy and the approach previously taken by the Courts of returning lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) asylum seekers to their countries of origin on the basis that they would be safe if they remain “discreet” about their sexual orientation. […]

Conference notes that the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was both a milestone piece of equality legislation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people and since its introduction has brought to thousands of LGBT couples who have formed a civil partnership, both legal and public recognition of their relationships. Conference also welcomes […]

This Branch notes that, due to the Edmund Davies effect, many Police Officers are reaching the end of their current careers and retiring on substantial pensions. These officers are then being re-employed in Police Staff roles immediately after “retiring” with some of the job descriptions being tailored towards ex police officers. When all police forces […]

Conference notes with extreme concern the decision of Cleveland Police to privatise its 999 Service and the transfer of jobs and services of over 600 police staff to a foreign owned, profit making company. This organisation, although being funded by the public purse, is unaccountable to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Conference further notes that […]

Conference believes that the Government’s proposed reforms of the benefits system will have a disproportionate effect on disabled people pushing them further into poverty and notes that many disabled workers are amongst the lowest paid members of the workforce and may rely on benefits to supplement their income and ensure that they have a decent […]

Conference is concerned by attempts by the current government to foster a progressive image on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, while carrying out an unprecedented attack on the rights of LGBT workers and provision for LGBT service users. Conference notes that the devastating impact of this Government’s public sector cuts on women, Black […]

Conference welcomes the progress in equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people under the last Labour government. Notable achievements include the introduction of civil partnership for same sex couples and the Gender Recognition Act, which gives trans people the opportunity to gain legal recognition of their acquired gender. Conference notes that in the […]

Conference celebrates how self organisation is fundamental and central to the structures and function of UNISON since the creation of the union. However, each year only a small number of branches send members to self organised group (SOG) conferences. A recent survey found that the majority of the 92 branches in the South West region […]

Conference notes that whilst National Delegate Conference did not debate Motion 9, which called for a review of self organisation, the National Executive Council (NEC) has included this in their work programme and set up a working party of members of the NEC’s Development and Organisation Committee and chairs (or their nominees) of the national […]

Conference is proud of our transparent and democratic structures. We note the way in which we organise is not always reflected in other areas of the union. Conference welcomes the opportunity to meet annually to determine LGBT policy, elect our delegates to represent us at National Delegate and Service Group Conferences and to select motions […]

Conference applauds the National LGBT Committee’s work on human rights which has greatly improved the understanding of human rights based approaches to the delivery of public services within the mainstream union membership as well as amongst LGBT members. Conference welcomes the previous government’s signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons […]